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Today’s email:

Never prayed at an abortion center before?

If you’re still not sure about this, please read
these stories before you take that leap of faith that
thousands are taking right now.

“I thought I SHOULD go and pray,” Pamela wrote,
“but I always found an excuse not to do it.” Then
she listened to the 40 Days for Life countdown
webcast before the current campaign.

“What struck me was that they said they were actually
blessed by praying,” she said. “Any resistance I had
was overcome.”

So she went — and got hooked. “Every single
experience I had — whether praying alone, with my
daughter, with others ... was really inspiring. I
think if you can at least go one time ... you will
also get hooked.”

Theresa is a first-time 40 Days for Life prayer vigil
participant this fall.

“I felt nervous energy all morning,” she said, but
“once I was there and began to pray, I immediately
felt the grace of the Holy Spirit. At times I would
be alone physically, but I always felt safe and
empowered.”

At first, Mary didn’t want to go pray because she
didn’t want to offend anyone. Eventually, she got
over it and went to the vigil.

“I may be saving the life of a child — a child like
any other child,” she said, “deserving a chance
at life. I pray for courage and boldness, and it is
granted.”

“I was very hesitant to pray at our local abortion
provider, and declined for several years out of fear,”
said Pia. “I have three children, and felt extremely
nervous about praying outside this facility, which
is not in the best part of town.”

When she explained her fear to the local 40 Days for
Life coordinator, he said he understood — but he
also reminded her to “be not afraid.”

It was the encouragement of her 14-year-old daughter
and her daughter’s friend that convinced Pia to go
pray at the vigil. “Locally we have had several saves,
and there is no doubt in my mind of the power of
prayer,” she said, “especially that of our youth.”

“I, too, was one who was scared to go to the clinic
to pray,” wrote Kris. “But God spoke to me and told
me ‘Go, I will give you the words and protection.’
Thank God I listened!”

This particular prayer vigil was being held at an
abortion center that was under construction. It
wasn’t yet open, but the vigil helped draw public
attention to what would soon be happening at this
building.

“One morning when I was feeling very anxious, I went
and a young girl — about 17 — stopped and wondered
if the clinic was open yet,” Kris said. Her boyfriend
was pressuring her to have an abortion.

“My blessing — that still keeps me going today —
was her deciding not to have the abortion,” said Kris.
“Have courage and don’t fear, because God is with each
one of us.”

Here’s the link to the list of cities where 40 Days
for Life vigils are taking place:

http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm

If you’re waiting for an invitation ... this is it!
Today’s the day. Won’t you join us?

Day 33 - October 24

Intention:

May we absorb the truth that God is paying attention to us, and to each human life, personally and individually.

Scripture:

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.

-- Psalm 8:3-9

Reflection:

How often we ignore the phrase, "stop and smell the roses" and instead submit to the all too "urgent" task at hand. Is this tendency what keeps us, at least in part, from acknowledging that God's care for His sacred creation is paramount in His own mind?

The Psalmist speaks of God's handiwork: the heavens, the work of his "fingers," and then points to God's masterpiece - human life. He declares to us that God is mindful of us. God keeps His masterpiece in His thoughts.

God, the creator of the awe-inspiring heavens, is not distracted by the tasks before Him. He is not pulled away, as we might be, by thoughts of something "more important." God is paying attention to and attending to His crowning glory, His masterpiece of creation, which cannot be duplicated or replaced, which surpasses the beauty of all other created things - the human being.

There is no way to adequately describe how God feels about us as human beings. There are no words to fully portray His love, compassion or desire to be in communion with us. Perhaps, the closest we can come, is to contemplate the thoughts of a mother as she gazes for the first time at her newborn child. God cares for Life. We, as His followers, should take time to consider the life He has created and called upon us to love and protect.

Prayer:

Lord, you are the creator of all things. Guide my thoughts to consider your creation in all of its majesty, beauty and holiness. Guide my heart especially to your creation of precious human life. Help me to comprehend how essential life is in your own heart. Teach me to appreciate, love and protect all human life through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fr. Terry Gensemer
National Director, Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life